The trial of 72 members of the Greek far-right Golden Dawn over the party’s alleged criminal activities will start on 20 April. The trial follows a 15-month investigation sparked by the fatal stabbing of an anti-fascist rap artist in September 2013 by a Golden Dawn supporter.

The suspects face charges of membership of a criminal organisation, murder, possession of weapons and racist violence, and face possible sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Among the defendants is party leader Nikolaos Michaloliakos, who was released from jail on 20 March after his 18-month pre-detention period ended. All 16 Golden Dawn members of the previous national parliament which was dissolved after the 25 January general election are also on trial.

The trial, expected to last several months, will take place in a special courtroom in the top-security Korydallos prison in Athens. Local residents fear clashes will occur between Golden Dawn supporters and anti-fascist groups, and have called for the trial to be postponed until extra security has been drafted in.

Golden Dawn members have in the past been accused of carrying out hate crimes against immigrants and ethnic minorities. The party entered the Greek national parliament after the 2012 elections. In the May 2014 European Parliament elections, Golden Dawn received 9.4% of the vote, making it the third largest party in Greece. It won three of Greece’s 21 seats.